Windrower



Aug. 1, 1944. A. w. OEHLER EI'AL WINDROWER Filed 001;. '7, 1940 5Sheets-Sheet 1 In N I N VEN TORS Alvin W Oehlar Donald L. AdamsATTORNEYS.

,1 A. w. OEHLER 2,354,962

WINDROWER I N V EN TORS: Alvin W Oehler 1 Donald L. Adams "nan er BY WATTORNEYS.

3 t h S qr t w h s 5 om 09 e2 8. OF w Hv=== =9 w 1 III. 7 t c o d u 1 FAug. 1, 1944. A. w. OEHLER EI'AL WINDROWER Filed 001:. '7; 1940 5Sheets-Sheet 5 \NN mm INVENTOR. Alvin W. 05M" Donald L- ,Adams bellmankr BY ATTORNEYS.

another object relates to Patented Aug. 1, 1944 WINDROWER Alvin W.Oehler and DonaldL. Adams, llfioline,v

and Shellman 8.. signors to Deere &

Barter, East Moline, 11]., as-

Gompany, Molinc, 111., a

corporation of Illinois a Application October 7, 19l0, Serial No.360,030

Claims.

The present invention relates to windrowers and has for its principalobject the provision of a novel and improved windrower that is compact,light inweight, inexpensive to build and operate, but strong and durableand capable of operation at comparatively high speeds. A further objectof our invention has to do with the provision of a windrower which isquickly and easily convertible for transporting the same in an endwiseposition through narrow gates and along narrow roads. 4

Another object of our invention relates to the provision of a windrowerthat is capable of cutting crops extremely close to the ground. Stillthe provision of a windrower that is quickly-and easily adjustable tolevel the platform and eliminate any sag at the outer end of the cutterbar. A furtherobject relates to the provision of a simple and directpower connection from the power take-.ofl shaft of the tractor, andwhich provides ioreasily and quickly adjusting the slack in the-drivechain. Still a further object relates to the provision of a hitch deviceincorporating a lifting linkage for tilting the platform to raise andlower the cutter bar and including counterbalancing spring forfaciliating such adjustment,-

and also providing for collapsing the entire hitch mechanism to reducethe width of the machine I '30 braces I! turn upwardly at is in front ofthe when the latter is transported endwise.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparentafter a consideration of the following description in which reference ishad to the drawings appended hereto, in which- Figure 1 is a plan viewof a windrower embodying the principles of the present invention, inwhich the canvas conveyor is broken away to show the frame construction;7

Figure 2 is an end view taken from the ward side of the machine anddrawn to a slightly larger scale; 7

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view' taken along a line 3-3 inFigure 1, but drawn to the scale of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation taken along a line 4-4 in Figure 1,'and showing the detail of the means for adjusting the grainward end ofthe platform to prevent sa Figure 5 is a detail view showing the meansfor adjusting the supporting wheels vertically to adjust the height oftherear end of the platform above the ground;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the rear support for the power shaft,showing the mechanism for 55 It, The 24;-

stubblevertically adjusting the position of the latter to tighten thedrive chain;

Figure 7 is an end elevational view similar to Figure 2, but showing themachine prepared for 5 endwise transport; and

Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the windrower prepared for transport. 4

Referring now to the drawings, the windrower comprises a platform "Iwhich includes a trans- 10 versely extending Z-shaped front frame memberI I, see Figure 3, along the top of which is mounted a conventionalcutter bar l2 by means of bolts IS. A bottom wall or panel I isconnected at its forward end to the bottom of the Z-bar ll. A back wallorpanel It extends transversely of the platform l0 along the rear edgethereof and is provided with a forwardly turned flange l6 are suitablyconnected rigidly together by rivets or other suitable means. The backwall and bottom wall l5, H are reenforced by lightweight angle ironbraces is extending vertically behind the back wall It, horizontallyunder the bottom wall ll and are rigidly secured thereto by suitablerivets or the like. The forward ends of the Z-bar II and are'rigidlyattached thereto.

At each end of the platform [0 is journaled a conveyor roller 25, 26.Each of the rollers includes a supporting shaft 21 which is mounted 35at its forward end on the Z-bar II and at its rearward end on the backwall IS. The grainward roller 25 is adjustable laterally for the purposeof tightening the conveyorvby means of a pair of bolts 28 engaging theouter brace l8. Trained over the rollers 25. 26 is a flexible endlessconveyor 30 comprising a belt 3| of any suitable materlal such ascanvas, or rubberized fabric, to which is secured a plurality of slats32 extending fore and aft across the belt 3| in laterally spacedrelation. The upper or working flight 33 of the conveyor slides along aforward supporting plate 34 attached to the top of the Z 'bar 1 i by thebolts 13, and the rear edge of the upper flight 33 slides along anangular support- The forward edge of the upper flight 33 is protected bya Z bar 36, which extends along the top of the plate 34 behind thecutter bar I: and is also flxed to the main Z-bar I l by the bolts 38overlaps the forward edge of ing member attached to the rear wall l5.

is indicated in dotted lines.

the conveyor and serves to prevent harvested The platform I is bracedand supportedby a pluralityof fore and aft extending frame -mem-' bers40, 4|, 42, which are rigidly secured to the front Z-bar ll and extendrearwardly between the upper flight 33 and the return or lower flight 43of the conveyor belt 30. The back wall I is apertured to receive therear ends of the frame members 40, 4| 42, the latter extendingrearwardly beyond the back wall ii. The rear ends of the frame members40, 4|, 42 are rigidly attached to a tubular supporting beam 45 disposedtransversely behind the platform Ill. The frame member 40 at thegrainward end of the platform is adjustably connected to the tubularbeam 45, as will be described later, while the other two frame members4|, 42 are connected by bolts 48 to brackets comprising a pair of upperand lower strap members 41 rigidly welded to the tubular frame member45. Tl'ie apertures in the back wall I 5 through which the frame members40, 4|. 42 extend, are reenforced by collars 48 which encircle the framemembers and are securely bolted or riveted to the back wall.

The rear end of the platform It] is carried on a pair of laterallyspaced ground engaging wheels 5t, 5 l, which are mounted at oppositeends of the tubular supporting beam 45, respectively, and disposedbehind the platform 90 and inwardly of the outer ends thereof. Each ofthe wheels 50, Si

is journaled onan axle 52, which is fixed to the end of a supporting arm53, which is rigidly welded or otherwise fixed to a collar 54 which fitsover the end of the supporting beam 5. The collar 5% is fixed to thebeam db by means of a bolt 55 which is inserted through alignedapertures in the collar 55 and beam 55, and is provided with a nut 56threaded on the end of the bolt 55. Referring more particularly ,tofigure 5, the normal position of the wheels with respect to the beam (55This is the position of the wheels when the windrower is used forharvesting at a substantial height above the ground, but when it isdesired to cut close to the ground, this position of the Wheels wouldresult in an extreme forward and downward tilt to the platform, butbyswinging the supporting arms tit rearwardly, the rear end of theplatform can be lowered to bring theplatform to a more level position.In the position of Figure 5, the bolt apertures in the collar 55 arealigned with another pair of apertures in the beam 55. Reference numeral51 indicates the apertures in the beam 55, through which the bolt 55extends when the arm 53 is in a vertical position.

The fore and aft extending beam "50 at the grainward end of the platformis pivotally connected by means of a bolt-60 to a forwardly extendingplate 6| which is rigidly fixed,'as by welding, adjacent the grainwardend of the tubular beam 45. A set screw 62 is threaded into athreadedaperture in 8. lug 63 fixed to the lower edge of the plate SIand extending underneath the frame member 40. The set screw 62 bearsagainst the lower side of the frame member 40 and hence by tighteningthe set screw the beam 40 can be raised about the axis of the bolt 60and thereby preventing any sag in the outer or grainward end of thecutter bar, said sag being resisted by a torsional stress in the tubularbeam 45. The beam 40 and plate 6| are further rigidly secured togetherin adjusted position by means of a bolt 85 which is inserted through asuitable aperture in the beam 40 which is aligned with a verticallyextending slot 66 in the plate 6|, thus providing for vertical angularmovement therebetween.

The frame members 4 l, 42, which are connected at the midpoint and atthe stubbleward end of the supporting beam 45, respectively, extendthrough apertures in the Z-bar l l, and converge forwardly and towardthe stubbleward end of the platform and are interconnected at theirforward ends ahead of the platform by a transversely disposed pipe framemember loywhich is fixed at opposite ends thereof to brackets II whichare attached to the forward ends of the frame members 41, 42. A hitchmember 12 is pivotally connected to the pipe frame member 10 forvertical swinging movement about the axis of the latter, and comprises apair of forwardly converging hitch frame members 13 swingably connectedto the pipe frame member 10 at opposite ends thereof, respectively, andconnected at their forward ends to a hitch plate 14 which is adapted tobe connected to a tractor or other draft means.

The height of cut of the cutter bar is determined by adjustably fixingthe angle between the draft member 12. and the platform It, since thecutter bar and forward end of the platform are supported by the draftPlate 14 on the-tractor. The means for adjusting the angular relationbetween the hitch member and the platform will now be described.Extending rigidly forwardly from the platform is a lever structurecomprising a bar 15 pivotally supported at its rear end on a bracket 1Bwhich is carried on a transverse frame member ll fixed at opposite endsthereof to the forwardly converging frame members M, 2, respectively. Ahand lever 78 is connected to the bar 15 near the rear end thereof bybolt l9 and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom, and is connectedby a second bolt $0 to a. vertically extending bracket 8| fixed to theforward end of the bar l5. The hand lever it can be swung about the bolt19 and connected to the bracket 3! in several vertically adjustablepositions by inserting the bolt 80 through one of several apertures 82in the bracket 8i, thus placing the lever H8 at the most convenientheight within reach of the tractor operator. The bar 15 is rigidlysecured to the platform by a second bracket 85 which is welded to thepipe frame member lites best shown in Figure 6, and through which a bolt8t extends vertically through an aligned hole in the bar It. Hence it isevident that by lifting the lever 78, the entire platform frame of' thewindrower is raised about the axes of the rear supporting wheels 50, 5!since the lever structure is rigid with the platform and moves therewithas a unit. The platform is held in vertically adjusted position by meansof a latch 88 mounted on the side of the lever '88 and engaging anotched sector 89 which is mounted by means of a bolt 90 on 9. lug 9|which is fixed to one of the hitch frame members 13. The latch 88 isdisengageable by means of a hand lever 92 pivoted at the handle of thelever 18 and connected to the latch by an actuating rod 93. Thus it isevident that when the latch 88 is engaged with the notched sector 89,the

hitch member 12 is fixed rigidly with the wind-- rower platform andtherefore can be supported from the hitch plate 14 on the tractordrawbar.

The platform III is counterbalanced by means of a counterbalancingspring I00 connected at its rear end to a rod l0l which is threaded tosurface of a ing I fixed to the frame member of the draft member 12. Theforward end of.

the spring I00 is connected to a downwardly extending arm I05 fixed to arock shaft I05, which extends transversely of the hitch member 12 and isiournaled in suitable brackets I00, I01 on the hitch frame member 10. Arearwardly extending arm I00 is also fixed to the rock shaft I01 and ispivotally connected adjacent its rear end to a'-U-shaped guide memberIIO by means of a bolt III. ,The U-shaped guide member IIO embraces thelower edge of the lifting beam and slides thereaiong, whereby thetension of the spring I00 exerts a rearwardly acting force against thearm I04 and therefore tending to swing the rearwardly extending arm I05upwardly and hence exerting a lifting forcethrough the sliding guidemember I I0 against the bar 15. The rod IN is attached to the rear endof the spring I00 by a suitable swivel connection, and the nut I02 isfixed to the lug I00, as by welding, so that the tension of the springcan be adjusted by merely rotating the rod II. For this purpose the rodIOI extends rearwardly and is connected at its rear end to the shaft ofa crank member H0 by a universal Joint connection II5, which preferablyis of a simple construction, as, for instance, a pair, of interlinkedeyes. The crank member H5 is supported in a pair of brackets II1 fixedto the bar 15 by the bolt 05 and thus by rotating the crank iii theamount of counterbalancing force can be adjusted.

Power for driving the sickle and the conveyor is obtained from the powertake-oil shaft of the tractor by means of a power transmitting shaftI20, which is connected through a pair of universal joints I2 I to asplined connector I22 adapted to fit over the splined end of the powertake-ofi shaft. The shaft" I is supportedliin' a bearing I 20 which isswingably mounted on a pair of links I20 connected to the hitch member12 by means providing for fore and aft swinging movement to accommodaterelative move-- ment between the tractor and the windrower. The powershaft I 20 base telescoping connec-' A a After the crank shaft bearing mis suitably positioned to align the sprockets Ill. and I52,

' the bearing I20 is fixed in adjusted position by tightening the boltsI00 and also the lock nuts I on the set screws I05, I00.

The crank shaft I21 is provided with a crank portion I between thebearing I20 and the sprocket Ill, and on the crank portion I05 is"journaled a pitman bearing I55 connected to the end of the pitman rodI01,.the opposite end of which is connected tothe sickle I50 whichcooperates with the cutter bar I2 in a conventional manner.

The windrower is equipped with any suitable type of harvester reel I 5|mounted on a shaft I52 which is iournaied at opposite ends thereof inbearings I50, I54, respectively, and the bearings are mounted on a pairof rearwardly 'ex- 0 The rear ends of the The real I5I is driven fromthe stubbleward I ground wheel II by means of a chain I50 contion I25which is connected through a universal joint I25 to a crank shaft I21which is Journaled.

in a bearing I20. The bearing I20 is supported on a vertical plate I20fixed to the forward end of the frame member 42 and is attached theretoby bolts I00 which extend through apertures in a pair of verticallyextending flanges IOI, I02 formed integrally with the bearing I20 andthrough aligned vertically extending slots I00 in the plate I 20. Theplate I20 has a pair of fore and aft spaced ears or lugs I04 extendingover the bearing I20, and is provided with set screws I05 which extenddownwardly through suitably tapped apertures in the lugs I00 and bearagainst the upper surface of the bearing I 20. Another set screw I05 isthreadedinto a lug I01 on the plate I20 and bears up against a flangeI00 formed integral with the bearing I 20 and subnected to a sarocketIOI on the axle 52 of the wheel 5I and which drives a sprocket I02 whichis fixed on a transversely disposed countershaft I00 iournaled in a pairof laterally spaced bearing brackets I55. A second chain I55 is trainedaround a sprocket I55 on the opposite end of the countershaft I50 andextends forwardly to a sprocket I5'I on the inner end of the reel shaftI52. The sprocket I51 is iournaled on the reel shaft and is connectedthereto through a conventional slip clutch I05. I

'The windrower is prepared for endwise transport by removing the bolt 05which connects the lifting bar 15 withthe bracket 05. This permits thedraft member 12 to be raised about the axis of the pipe frame member 10,lifting the lifting bar 15 and the lever 10 about the pivotal connectionof the lever structure with the bracket I0.

Inasmuch as the hitch member 12 and the lever structure pivot upwardly.about different axes, there isnecessarily a relative movement betweenthe notched sector 00 and the hitch member 12 but this is accommodatedby the pivot bolt 00 which connects the sector 00 to the hitch member12.

' The draft structure is locked in raised position by inserting a boltI10 through suitable openings I1I, I12 inthe sliding guide member IIIand the bar 15, which can .be alignedin transport position. Thepowershaft- I20 in transport position, swings about the universal loint I20relative to the crank shaft I21. For endwise transport the grainwardwheel 50 is dismounted from the supporting beam 05 by removing the bolt55, and the wheel is then mounted on a special transport fixturecomprising a short tubular member, the end of which is adapted toreceive the collar 50 of the wheel support 50 and is provided withaligned apertures I15 to receive the bolt 55. The fixture I15 issupported on the frame member 5I by means of a bracket I11. Thestubbleward wheel 5| is similarly removed from the opposite end of thebeam 05 and is transferred to a transport fixture I 10 comprising ashorttubuiar member adapted to receive the collar 55 of the wheelsupport 50 and having an aperture I10 adapted to receive the bolt 55.The tubular member I'll is mounted on a vertically disposed standardI80, which is We do not intend to conflne our invention to the exactdetails shown and described herein,

except as limited by the claims which follow.

We claim:

. 1. A windrower comprising a platform frame including a pair of'foreand aft spaced transversely extending parallel members and a pluralityof interconnecting frame members, a draft frame extending forwardly fromthe forward transverse member inwardly of the stubbleward end thereoffor supporting the front portion of said frame on a tractor, a cutterbar extending from said draft frame along said forward transverse framemember, a pair of fore and aft extending conveyor rollers Journaled atopposite ends of said frame and disposed generally in the plane of saidinterconnecting frame members, a flexible endless conveyor extendingacross the entire width of said frame over said interconnecting membersbehind said cutter bar and said draft frame and discharging from theextreme stubble-- ward end of said frame, said conveyor having a returnflight disposed beneath said intercomnecting frame members, and a pairof ground wheels for supporting said platform disposed rearwardly of thelatter and inwardly of the.

outer ends of said conveyor.

2. A windrower comprising a platform frame including a pair of fore andaft spaced transversely extending members and a plurality ofinterconnecting frame members extending rearwardly beyond said reartransverse member, a supporting beam interconnecting the rear ends ofsaid interconnecting members, a pair of supporting wheels mounted onsaid beam, a draft frame extending forwardly from the forward transversemember inwardly of the stubbleward end thereof for supporting the frontportion of said frame on a tractor, a cutter bar extending from saiddraft frame along said forward transverse frame member, a pair of foreand aft extending conveyor rollers journaled at opposite ends of saidframe and disposed generally in the plane of said interconnecting framemembers, and a flexible endless conveyor extending across the entirewidth of said frame over said interconnecting members behind said cutterbar and said draft frame and discharging from the extreme stubblewardend of said frame, said conveyor having a return flight disposed beneathsaid interconnecting frame members.

3. A harvester platform comprising a transverse frame including atransverse beam disposed at the rear thereof, a pair of laterally spacedarms, a supporting wheel journaled on each of said arms, means rigidlyconnecting said arms to said beam, and means for adjusting at least oneof said arms angularly. relative to the other arm verse frame, atransverse beam disposed-behind said frame and rigidly fixed to thelatter adjacent one end thereof, ground engaging supports for saidbeam,and means for angularly adjustably connecting the other end of saidbeam to said frame for stressing said beam in torsion and thus providinga lifting force against the end of the frame.

5. A windrower comprising a transverse frame, a tubular torsion memberdisposed behind said frame and rigidly fixed to the latter adjacent oneend thereof; a pair of supporting arms mounted on said tubular member, aground wheel Journaled at the end of each of said arms, a hitch memberattached to the forward end of said frame adjacent said one end thereof,an arm fixed to said torsion member adjacent the other end thereof, andmeans for angularly adjustably connecting said last mentioned arm tosaid frame providing for stressing said torsion member to exert alifting force on the outer end of the frame.

6. A harvester platform comprising front and rear transverse framemembers, a roller extending therebetween, a flexible endless conveyortrained over said roller, and a fore and aft extending frame memberdisposed between the upper and lower flights of said conveyor andinterconnecting said transverse frame members.

7. A harvester platform comprising'a frame, including a pair of parallelframe members and a plurality of interconnecting frame members extendingbetween said parallel members, a pair of rollers extending between saidparallel members at opposite ends thereof, respectively, a flexibleendless conveyor trained over said rollers and having upper and lowerflights disposed on opposite sides of said interconnecting framemembers, a crop gathering mechanism disposed along one edge of saidframe for delivering crop to said conveyor, and means adjacent theopposite edge of said frame for supporting the latter and providing forvertical movement thereof to raise and lower said crop gathering means.

8. A windrower comprising a transversely disposed frame including frontand rear parallel members and interconnecting frame members fixedthereto, a transverse cutter bar supported on said front frame member, aflexible endless conveyor disposed behind said cutter bar and movablelaterally over said interconnecting frame members and having a returnflight disposed beneath the latter, a ground engaging supposed behindsaid cutterbar and movable later- 4. A harvester platform comprising a,transv ally over said interconnecting frame members and having a returnflight disposed beneath the latter, and draft means connected at one endof said frame.

10. A harvester comprising a platform, supporting means therefor,harvesting mechanism mounted thereon, a forwardly extending power shaftadapted to be connected to the power takeoff shaft of a tractor, abearing in which said power shaft is journaled, shiftable means forrigidly mounting said bearing on said platform,

a wheel fixed to said power shaft, and a flexible power transmittingmember trained over said wheel and connected to drive said mechanism,

said flexible member being tightened by shift- B said bearing.

11. A harvester comprising a platform, a cutterv bar mounted thereon, areciprocating sickle on said cutterbar, a power shaft disposedsubstantially in the plane of and perpendicular to said sickle, a crankconnected to said shaft, a pitman connecting said sickle with saidcrank, a wheel fixed to said shaft,'a second wheel mounted on saidplatform and connected to mechanism thereon, said wheels being spacedapart generally vertically, a flexible power transmitting member trainedover said wheels, and bearing means for supporting said power shaft,said bearing means being mountedpn said platform by means providingvertical adjustment thereof to tighten and loosen said flexible memberwithout affecting the register of said sickle relative to said cutterbar.

flxing said lever structure to said frame during fleld operation, a rackmember pivotally mounted on said draft member, and latch means foradjustably locking said lever structure to said rack member in selectedpositions of vertical adjustment, said detachable means being removabletopermit-said lever structure, said draft member, and said rack memberto be folded to transport 7 position.

12. A windrower comprising a platform, a cutter bar mounted thereon, areciprocating sickle on said cutter bar, a power shaft disposed substantially in the plane of and perpendicular to said sickle, a crankconnected to said shaft, a

pitman connecting 'said sickle with said crank, a conveyor movable oversaid platform; a roller for driving said conveyor, driving and drivenwheels connected to ,said power shaft and roller, respectively, andspaced apart generally vertically, a flexible power transmiting membertrained over said wheels, and bearing means for supporting said powershaft, said bearing means being mounted on said platform by meansproviding vertical adjustment thereof to tighten and loosen saidflexible member without affecting the register of said sickle relativeto said cutter bar. 13. In an implement of the class described, a wheelsupported frame, a draft member piv- 'otally connected thereto forrelative vertical swinging movement, a. lever structure pivotallyconnected to said frame for relative vertical swinging movement, wherebyfor transport purposes both said draft memberand said lever structureare swingable upwardly about said pivots, detachable means for rigidlyfixing said lever structure to said frame during field operation, andmeans for adjustably locking said lever structure to said draft memberin selected positions of relative vertical adjustment.

14. In an implement of the class described; a wheel supported frame, adraft framepivotally connected thereto for relative vertical swingingmovement, a lever structure pivotally mounted on one of said framesforrelative vertical swinging movement, detachable means for rigidly fixingsaid lever structure to said one frame during fleld operation, and meansfor adjustably look- 1118 said lever structure to the other'of saidframes in selected positions of relative vertical adjustment, saiddetachable means being remov- I able to permit both said lever structureand said draft frame to be folded upwardly to a transport position.

15. In an implement of the class described, a wheel supported frame, adraft frame pivotally connected thereto for relative vertical swinging Imovement, a lever structure pivotally mounted ert a lifting forcethrough said arm against said 17. In an implement of the classdescribed, a wheel supported frame, a draftmember pivotally connectedthereto for relative vertical swinging movement, a lever structure flxedto said frame and'extending forwardly over said draft member, latchmeans for adjustably locking said lever structure in selected positionsof adjustment, a

crank arm pivotally mounted on said draftmemher, a sliding connectionbetween said crank arm and. said lever structure, and a lifting meansconnected to said crank arm and adapted to exlever structure.

18. In an implement of the class described, a wheel supported frame, adraft member pivotally connected thereto for relative vertical swingingmovement, a lever structure fixed to'said frame and extending forwardlyover said draft member,

a bell crank disposed beneath said lever structure and having a slidingconnection with the latter,

posed rearwardly thereof and rigidly fixed thereto, a pair of laterallyspaced ground wheels, brackets for said wheels detachably connected tosaid beam, a pair of supports on said frame at front and rear thereof,to which said wheel supporting brackets are attachable, respectively,for

transport purposes, and a tongue having detachable means for rigidlyattaching the same to said supporting beam for towing said frame endwiseduring transport. 7

20. A windrower comprising atransversely disposed front frame member, abottom wall and a back wall fixed thereto, a pairof rollers extendingfore and aft between said frame member and said back wall, a flexibleendless conveyor trained over. said rollers, and framemembers'extendingfrom said front member to said back wall and rigidly fixed thereto, saidframe members being disposed between the upper and lower flights of saidconveyor.

21. A windrower comprising a transverse platform frame, a draft memberconnected thereto adjacent one end thereof for supporting the forwardend on a tractor, ground wheel means for supporting the rear end of saidframe, a'transverselyldisposed torsion beam member extending across'saidframe and fixed to the latter adjacent one end thereof, and means forangularly adjustably connecting the'otherend of said beam to said framefor stressing said beam in torsion,

. on said frame, a flexible endless conveyor trained over said rollers,frame bracing members traversing said frame between the upper and lowerflights of said conveyor, and draft means connected to said bracingmembers.

24. A harvester platform comprising a enerally rectangular frame, a cropgatheringmeans supported along one edge thereof, means at the oppositeside of said frame for supporting the latter, a pair of laterally spacedrollers journaled on said frame, a flexible endless conveyor trainedover said rollers, frame bracing members fixed to, and traversing saidframe between the upper and lower flights of said conveyor and extendingforwardly ahead of said frame adjacent one end thereof, a draft memberpivotally connected to the forward ends of said members. on a transverseaxis, and means for adjustably fixing said draft member relative to saidframe.

25. A harvester platform comprisin a frame including a pair of generallyparallel transversely disposed frame members, a plurality of framemembers interconnecting said transverse members and extending forwardlyand rearwardly beyond the latter, a transverse beam connected to therear ends of said members, ground wheels mounted on said beam forsupporting the frame, draft means connected to the forward extensions ofsaid interconnecting frame members, crop gathering means supported onthe forward edge of said frame, and a canvas platform conveyor extendingtransversely of said frame and having an upper working flight disposedover said interconnecting frame members and a lower return flightbeneath the latter.

26. In an implement of the class described, a wheel supported frame, adraft member pivotally connected thereto for relative vertical swingingmovement, a lever structure fixed to said frame and extending forwardlyover said draft member, a bell crank disposed beneathsaid leverstructure and having a sliding connection with the latter, pivot meansfor mounting said bell crank forwardly on said draft member for verticalswinging movement, a spring connected to said. bell crank and extendingrearwardly under the latter and normally stressed in tension to exert alifting force through said crank upon said lever structure, and meansfor locking said bell crank relative to said lever structure tocondition the implement for transport.

2'7. In an implement of the'class described, a

wheel supported frame, a draft member pivotally lever structure to saidframe during field operation, a rack member pivotally mounted on saiddraft member, latch means for adjustably locking said lever structure tosaid rack member in selected positions of vertical adjustment, a bellcrank pivotally mounted on said draft member, a sliding connectionbetween said crank arm and said lever structure, spring means connectedto said bell crank and biased to exert a lifting force through saidarmagainst said lever struc-- ture, said detachable means beingremovable to permit said lever structure, said draft member, and saidrack member to be folded to transport position, and means for lockingsaid crank arm relative to said lever structure to hold the latter andthe draft member in said folded transport position.

28. A construction comprising a platform, supporting wheels positionedat one side of the platwheel and the other end of the platform so as tosupport the same and being connected to the other end of the element soas to be permitted angular movement with respect thereto about theelement as an axis, and adjustable means acting between the element andthe second member to effect angular movement between the element and themember and thereby to raise the said other end of the platform. v

29. A construction comprising a platform, hitch means connecting one endof the platform to a draft means and serving to prevent s'ag of the saidone end of the platform, supporting wheels positioned at one side of theplatform adjacent opposite ends thereoi, a torque tube extending alongthe said one side of the platform between the wheel and the platform, afirst supporting member connecting one wheel and the said one end of theplatform and secured to one end of the torque tube so as to preventangular movement of the said one end of the torque tube, a secondsupporting member connecting the other supporting wheel and the otherend of the platform and being connected to the other end of the torquetube so as to be permitted angular movement with respect to the torquetube and about the same as an axis, and adjustable means acting betweenthe said other end of the torque tube and the second member to effectangular movement between these parts and thereby to raise the said otherend of the platform.

30. A construction comprising a generally hori zontal frame, draft meanssupporting one side of said frame and ofiset toward one end thereof,ground supported means for carrying the other side of said frame, atorsion beam member extending along said frame, means fixing one end ofsaid beam to said frame and means for twisting the opposite end of saidbeam for imposing a torsional stress therein and for connecting saidbeam to said frame to transmit torsional force from said beam-to saidframe exerting a lifting force thereon.

31. A construction comprising a generally horizontal frame, a pluralityof supports engaging said frame at spaced points, and means fortransmitting supporting force to unsupported portions of said framecomprising an elongated beam fixed ass-1,9

at one end to said frame, and means for angularly adjusting the oppositeend of said beam relative to said frame.

32. In combination. an ambulatory frame generally rectangular form,supporting means engaging said frame adjacent three corners thereof, andmeans for transmitting a lifting force to the fourth corner comprising abeam extending along one side of said frame and 118- idly fixed theretoat one end of said beam, and

one end of said platform and said element to prevent angular movement ofthe latter relative thereto, a second member for' connecting the otherend of said platform to said element and providing for angular movementof said member relative to said element, and adjustable means actingbetween said element and the second member to effect angular movementbetween the element and the member, and thereby to raise the said otherend of the platform.

34. A construction comprising a platform, hitch means connecting'one endof the platform to a draft means and serving to prevent sag of the saidone end of the platform, supporting wheels positioned at one side of theplatform adjacent opposite ends thereof, a torque tube extending alongthe said one side of the platform between the wheels and the platformand mounted on said wheels, a first supporting member connected to oneend of the platform and secured o one end of the torque tube so as toprevent angular movement of the said one end of the torque tube, asecond supporting member connecting the other end of the platform withthe torque tube so as to be permitted angular movement with respect tothe torque tube, and adjustable means acting between the said other endof the torque tube and the second member to effect angular movementbetween these parts and thereby .to raise the said other end of theplatform.

35. A construction comprising a generally horizontal frame, draft meanssupporting one side of said frame and offset toward one end thereof,ground supported means for carrying the other side of said frame. atorsion beam member extending along said frame, means fixing one end ofsaid beam to said frame and means for angularly adjusting the other endof said beam relative to said frame to level the platform.

36. A construction comprising a generally hurlzontal frame, draft meanssupporting one side of said frame and offset toward one end thereof,ground supported means for carrying the other side of said frame, atorsion beam member extending along said frame, means fixing one end ofsaid beam to said frame and means for angularly adjusting the other endof said beam relative to said frame to level the platform, said lastmentioned means comprising a supporting member fixed to said platformand pivotally connected to said beam, an arm fixed to said beam andextending adjacent-said supporting member, and a threaded adjustingmember interconnecting said arnnand said supporting member for shiftingthem angularly relative to each other.

ALVIN W. OEHLER. L DONALD L. ADAMS.

SHEILMAN 8. mm.

